Gov. takes non-military actions after Rawdah Mosque attack

CAIRO – 29 November 2017: Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali said Wednesday that her ministry will provide a pension, estimated at LE 1,500 ($85) for the victims of the heinous attack on the Rawdah Mosque in North Sinai. In a press conference at the Cabinet, Wali added that there are six private associations working in North Sinai.

She pointed out that the Finance Ministry provided LE 50 million as compensation for the martyrs of the terrorist attack that occurred on Friday, as LE 200,000 for families of each victim and LE 50,000 for each person injured. The government revealed to the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs details of the processes taken after the terrorist attack, including compensations for the families of the victims and injured, in addition to providing health care and treatment for all injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, Tahia Masr Fund is providing North Sinai with LE 185 million ($10 million) to improve health services and investments in education, Mohamed Ashmawy, executive director of the Tahia Masr Fund, declared on Wednesday. The fund aims to develop infrastructure through supporting Al-Arish hospitals, nine schools and Azhar institutes in Rafah, Arish and Sheikh Zweid.

In addition, the fund has supported projects to empower women by establishing centers that provide women with training courses in the craft industry, allocating markets for them to sell their products and constructing small farms for families.

On Sunday, Minister of Housing, Utilities and New Urban Communities Mostafa Madbouly held a meeting with the ministers of social solidarity and health, North Sinai's governor, and representatives of Al-Orman Charity Association and Red Crescent to mobilize support for the families of the victims of the recent Al-Arish terrorist attack.

They have agreed that LE 10,000 and LE 5,000 will be dispensed as compensation to the family of each victim whose life was claimed and each injured victim, respectively.

The Ministry of Social Solidarity is conducting a quick research on social data of the Rawdah village to ensure basic needs are met, to provide job opportunities for the villagers and to set up small projects suitable to the economic activities of the region.

The meeting also discussed ways to accelerate a comprehensive developmental scheme for Bir el-Abd to deal with the repercussions of the attack. Financial compensation is being offered to the families of the victims, and additional food provisions are available for the village.

Representatives of civil organizations have declared their willingness to support Egypt and provide financial and logistical support to the Rawda citizens. A number of terrorists stormed Rawdah Mosque in west Arish City during Friday prayers and detonated an explosive device. The mosque was damaged as a result of the bomb.
Eyewitnesses said the terrorists set fire to cars that belonged to residents and blocked the road in Rawdah village.